The Demon Monarch System

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While he watched the other student heading towards the Institute's front door, Apollo's attention fell elsewhere. He felt this odd sensation of being watched. Yet, no matter how much he tried to find the origin of the feeling he couldn't do so. Soon enough, he wanted to push the matters to the back of his mind.

However, a small change happened. From within his shadow, Xezym crept out. As he looked at Apollo, he cleared his throat, "Youth Apollo, Lady Sapphyr had instructed me to find you and make sure you attend her classes. According to her, outside of the previous class, you have been missing from the area. Thus, she believed there was a chance of you missing this supplementary guide."

Luckily, Apollo possessed a suitable demeanor. He didn't jump in fright at Xezym's abrupt and unannounced appearance, "Was that feeling of being watched just now from you?"

In response, Xezym's expression under his hood filled with shock. One had to know, even if he didn't instill his complete ability into hiding his presence, his race excelled at innately concealing their presence. In other words, his presence should have given off no signal of being there.

'His senses are sharpening, but they are sharpening oddly. It's as if he is gravitating towards being used to the darkness. Perhaps I should tell Lady Sapphyr of this information. Maybe it would be of use to her,' Xezym mused before nodding in admittance.

Afterward, he led Apollo into the stream of students and ventured towards the Institute. At the same time, Apollo pried into the techniques he displayed back in the Lesser Cultivation Room. Both Fuhrer and Xezym used a technique that varied in execution but was identical in their foundations. Needless to say, he wanted to use them as a reference.

As they entered deeper into conversation, Xezym then posed the circumstance that Lady Sapphyr must agree to him showing him the technique as a whole before doing so. Any display of favoritism was frowned upon. Thus, any instance of that happening was swept under the rug and kept a secret by the student and the one showing favoritism.

Since he knew his boundaries, Apollo didn't press the matter. After all, all he needed to do was coax Sapphyr into allowing Xezym to do so. Not to mention, after examining his features, he was fairly certain that he could charm to complement his appearance that seemed to become more and more devilishly handsome as he advanced and matured.

In fact, it seemed the accelerated time flow in Ashiraem contributed to a change in his body albeit slightly. Due to his internals becoming more demon-like, the atmosphere of Ashiraem didn't affect him too greatly. But, because he was a demon born outside of the Nihilistic Rings, he was affected more than the other.

Unlike the rest, he needed to absorb more of the source energy of the world. In exchange, the chance of rejection would decrease should he ever come across the change to stay permanently. 

Not long after, a sea of students stood before the gates of the two large Institutes. Each of them bore a striking insignia. The Umbra Night Institutes was a picture of an orb leaking black energy and Vermillion Flame held the symbol of a bird bathing in scorching flames.

As Apollo stared at them long enough, he could have sworn they started to move. At first, it was small movements, but then it seemed like it was trying to form a message. Unfortunately, after some time, Apollo was unable to see any more movements.

'I wonder what that was,' Apollo thought to himself while shifting his attention to the doors of each Institute. But, what he paid attention to most of all was Geneva, who appeared from seemingly nowhere.

With a small snap, she sent a ripple of energy forward that quelled the masses, "I need you all to separate into two groups. Since you all have been enrolled in an Institute, your academic identification should have undergone a change. As you notice the changes, please find those similar to yours."

In accordance with her words, every single individual followed her orders, they first looked at their identification cards then divided into two groups. Those who were enrolled into the Umbra Night Institute possessed obsidian-colored cards and those who were chosen to join the Vermillion Flame Institute possessed scarlet-colored cards.

Obviously, Apollo belonged to the former. His diamond-embezzled identification card turned black. Even the unblemished diamonds turn a gem-like black color. It was a ravishing sight as his gazed remained glued to it for a few moments.

Once everyone split apart, Geneva spread her arms. In return, the doors to the Institutes opened and presented the instructors who would be guiding this year's students. At the same time, Geneva spoke again.

"As I have told you all in the Teaching Hall, there are different levels inside of the Institutes. Based on your card, you'll understand where you fall and who your overall instructor will be. I will now leave the rest in the capable hands of my instructors," Geneva said before walking off and fading into a fleeting image.

In lieu of her announcement, one by one the instructors gathered their students and walked into the Institutes. To prevent any confusion or overlapping of the tour, this was done in a staggered manner that allowed the previous group ample time to pass some of the more vital areas.

It wasn't long before Apollo's group was called to enter the Umbra Night Institute. However, besides one person, there was a lack of any familiar faces, 'Besides Adeon, no one else possesses the Dark Element? I guess the talk earlier about this element being a rarity was true.'

"For the next year, I'll be the instructor of your 92nd group. You can all great me as Instructor Sapphyr," Sapphyr announced while leading her section of no more than 50 students inside. While doing so, she spoke again, "You all are just the seeded category. Next year, you'll come to realize that there are other classifications that go far beyond seeded. I will do my best to elevate you to your greatest potential."

In response, most of the group nodded and showed at least the baseline respect. Before coming here, most of their families had debriefed them on the fact that their reach didn't extend inside. It was done in this way to cultivate the ability to form their own factions and potentially lead the family and/or contribute to it greatly if not so.

Right after stepping through the doors, everyone was greeted by the absence of light. But, soon after, Sapphyr lifted her hand and moved it in a motion that seemed to move numerous dials. While they weren't apparent to everyone else, she could see it as clear as day. Seconds after she completed it, everyone regained sight. But, that was after the sounds of numerous changing mechanisms took place.

When they could examine their surroundings again, white halls with black etchings on the columns greeted their eyes. Moreover, the corridor was split into three paths that contained many doors.

"This is the entrance to the first level, as you can see, there is a defensive measure against unwarranted entry put in place. Unless you learn your entry code that is hidden within your card, there is no other way to be brought inside. Even the instructors must use their own special code to enter. Follow me." Sapphyr led the group through the first corridor.

Inside, there were numerous quiet mediation areas as well. To use them, one had to use their academic credits. In other words, Apollo came to realize what credits were so important. It wasn't easy to acquire, but it was effortless to spend. Everything inside the Institutes used strictly academic credits.

"One advantage this institute has to offer is the quiet atmosphere accompanied by the untethered learning. Even though I'm your Instructor, other than when I call for you, or it is time for assembly, there isn't much you need to do. But, do not venture into anywhere you aren't permitted to. You'll suffer punishment and without a doubt, credits will be deducted. 

"What happens if you reach 0 credits?" Apollo questioned while looking inside the second. Compared to the other two, it seemed to possess something different.

"Then, you won't be able to enter the best place here, the Tethered Shadow Origin room. Furthermore, if you have 0 credits for more than one week, you're enrollment will be revoked," Sapphyr answered calmly. 

From her tone, it was clear she wouldn't show the fact she was familiar with Apollo. On the other hand, the students gasped upon hearing the word "revoked".